Sue Thomas: F.B.Eyeoriginally aired on the Pax Channel from October 2002 to May 2005.
Bray-Kotsur’s husband, Troy Kotsur, is also deaf and appeared on the program.
Here, they discuss their experiences on the show.
Rodrigo Vaz / Getty Images
Actor number one???
Things have changed with that show!
“A hearing actress will not completely understand my path of silence,” the real Sue explained.
Also, I didn’t know the show would end up being a TV series.
I believed it was a two-hour TV movie.
A TV series?!
That’s even better!
I had a fun ride.
What was your favorite episode of Sue Thomas?
What was Troy’s favorite episode?
That was an episode that had lots of signing in the show.
This was a different, and rich experience for me, working on the set with the cast/crew.
My role became a recurring role.
What was the most difficult episode to do of Sue Thomas?
I often wished the writing would have Sue out of the office when we have big meetings like that.
She [was] independent and [wanted] to be on her own.
Or Sue would repeat what they [said] to doublecheck.
He went toGallaudet Universitybut did not graduate due to being involved inprofessional theatre.
His hearing parents and two brothers took classes to learn sign language when Troy was a toddler.
He had communication at home.
I mainstreamed with a group ofdeaf and hard of hearingstudents at school most of my life.
I went to Washington State School for the Deaf in 8th grade and returned to mainstreamed school.
I grew up with a single father who signed some words but [was] not fluent inASL.
My father worked long hours making TV shows.
I considered myself bilingual growing up.
I moved in with my mother at age 13 and my mother chose not to learn how to sign.
How did you meet Troy?
Troy was part of the theatre company for two years.
We didn’t click because I didn’t believe in falling for someone while working on stage.
Over time, our friendship grew.
We clicked in 1997 and got married in 2001.
Do you have a hearing dog yourself?
Troy would like to have one someday.
Aside from acting, what else are you interested in?
I enjoy editing short films that my husband and I shoot.
Get an education and finish school.
How are you and Troy involved in your local deaf community?
We have been involved with many events in the Deaf community.
I joined a fundraising event in Toronto while four months pregnant for the Deaf Culture Centre Museum.
KODAWest’s motto is: “Where kids can be kids and Deaf parents unite.”
We were MCs atNorcal(Deaf organization in Northern California) andDCARA(in Berkeley).
Is Troy still acting?
Troy does a one-man show all over the states.
He has also directed two children’s plays atDeafWest Theatre.
Troy was just in the musical play, Pippin, which ended last month.
Can’t say much about that right now.
Your website says you are a teacher.
What do you teach?
I was aiming for a single subject teaching credential for high schoolscience.
You’re working on a master’s in education.
Is this a master’s in deaf education or education in general?
Masters in Deaf education.
Teaching credential for Deaf education and Masters in Deaf Ed.
After Sue Thomas ended, why did you not star in other television roles?
There are several reasons.
One is that there just aren’t many opportunities for Deaf/deaf/hard of hearing actors.
Actors get stereotyped and cast for only what people saw them do before so that limited our opportunities.
Also,F.B.Eyeended in January of 2005, and I was pregnant in January.
(The show didn’t end because I was pregnant.)
Hearing Loss Magazine.Deanne Bray a hearing loss ‘hero’.
TV IV.Sue Thomas F.B.
Deanne Bray.Sue Thomas: F.B.EYE, premiers on Animal Planet.
Harris Communications.Your pregnancy: what to expect.
